Thursday, May 27, 2010

French Friday from Paris!

Hello All,Today is the day I share anything French that I find inspiring. I hope you enjoy what I have for you today.

Just for a moment though, I want to share that I enjoyed all your comments on Tea Cup Tuesday from Paris, I tried to visit everyone, but unfortunately I was unable to leave comments on most blogs! When I return home I will visit all of you. I appreciate your participation so much. And also, I felt so bad that we couldn't get Martha's Mr. Linky working, but I saw that many of you visited her site and left such nice comments, that was fab!

On to French Friday...

Yesterday we took a trip to the outskirts of Paris to see Versailles! I found it so fascinating! The day was overcast and did rain and thunder on and off, but with our umbrellas we were just fine.

A magnificient ceiling!

The Chapel

The Hall Of Mirrors. This was a most difficult room to get a photograph in. Even though it is lined with window and mirrors opposite them, with the stormy day we needed long exposures. This hall is stunningly opulent and beautiful!

I beieve this is a painting of Marie Antoinette. Let me know if I am wrong. These paintings are hung up on the walls in such a way that sometimes you can not read the name plate.

This was Marie's room in Versailles. It is huge, and beautiful. You are not allowed to use a flash in Versailles, so all our photos are a bit dark. The bed is topped with huge plumes of white feathers.

I tried to get a close up of the drapes. The material and pattern is exquisite! The colors so deep and vibrant. There were so many things I would have loved to feel! But touching, of course, would not be good for the preservation of the pieces. Marie must have loved texture, it is everywhere, texture and color.

Many of the original furniture has been lost. But there are pieces that are where they belong, and the French are trying to get back any pieces that they can.

Just one of many gorgeous chairs.

A latch on a door that closes up the long floor to ceiling windows.

A decorative wall panel. GorGeous!!!

The back (or front?) of Versailles. There are sweeping lawns, walkways, and reflecting pools.

There was a Laduree shop there too! So of course, I had to get another box (and such a beautiful box!).

The flavors in this box were Vanilla, Rose, Raspberry and Chocolate! Yum!

It would take days to see everything here. We spent about 8 hours touring it. I was so amazed at all there was to see. I did visit the outer buildings, but that is for another French Friday to share. I loved most visiting Marie's little Hamlet, and smelling all the lilacs that were in bloom everywhere!

Thank you for visiting today. I hope you enjoyed my little account of the first part of my trip to Versailles. Have a fabulous Friday!

Terri, it sounds like you are having a wonderful trip. I haven't been to Versailles, I really must try to get there some time. The picture of theat beautiful drape with roses, possibly peoonies and lilac is so very beautiful. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos.

OH MY GOSH!!!! Marie's bed???? How awesome. Never in my wildest dreams would I have been able to imagine how beautiful. And Versailles is magnificent with all the beautiful architecture, and those macroons......mmmmmm! Wonder if you can order those online from France? I know you are having the time of your life. Hope you get to see everything you want to see.HugsGinger

You bring Paris to life. I have always wanted to travel there, and you have made some of it possible. Versailles is so rich and opulent and the exterior is really amazing. I can see why you say it would take days to see it all. Thanks for sharing your trip.

I am just swimming in all your gorgeous photos. Wow! You are so lucky.I brought my daughter on a trip to Paris once, but I was scared to travel around, afraid I'd miss my bus, so her and I didn't see anything but the Eiffel Tower. I'm so sad, but am so glad to be seeing all of Paris through your eyes.xoxoRox

Oh Terri, I am really enjoying all your lovely pictures, it sounds like you are having such a wonderful time. I want to thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. I know I have really enjoyed your visit. Can't wait to see more, have a lovely weekend in France. Hugs, Terri

Terri - your post today gave me goose pimples. Don't know why, but I still have them. I think, while viewing the photos (I did not see this place when I visited Paris) I was imagining her life there... and how they truly were sheltered from the poverty in Paris. WOW, you have done her justice. (love your word verifcation for this post: divinpar)

My husband and I went to the Palace of Versailles a few years ago and fell in love with the gardens. We were fortunate to have had perfect weather so spent most of our time outdoors. It is nice to see your beautiful photos that remind me of such a wonderful trip we had. Thank you so much for sharing.

this is a very good account of Versailles' Marie antoinette's home.... thanks for the piece of information too about Laduree's sweet macaroons, i knew there was one on the Champs Elysées avenue but i didn't know you could buy them from a laduree shop in versailles, i'll have to google the address.dom from France near Versailles

Totally WOW!!!!!! Oh Terri how wonderful to see this IRL... and your photo's are just beautiful!!!! Love all things MA.. so this post is just heavenly... and those upholstry fabrics .... simply stunning!! Like you I would have loved to touch them... :)Thanks sooo much for sharing your gorgeous Trip with us! Love Lou xx